Federal Trade Commission sues leading transgender health group 17. June 2026 (22:36) Four states file alongside FTC, claiming WPath made deceptive claims about gender-affirming care for minorsThe Federal Trade Commission and four states sued the World Professional Association for Transgender Health on Wednesday, in the latest push by Donald Trump’s administration and others to limit gender-affirming care for transgender minors.The suit alleges the group, known widely as WPath, made deceptive claims about gender-affirming care for minors and that its members profited off the claims. Alaska, Iowa, Nebraska and Texas filed along with the FTC. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Burnham team tell ministers to delay resignations to avoid chaos 17. June 2026 (21:54) Exclusive: Allies of Labour’s Makerfield candidate concerned rapid collapse of Starmer government would increase instabilityHow quickly could Andy Burnham become the UK’s prime minister?Andy Burnham’s campaign has been forced to talk ministers out of resigning as early as this weekend to avoid Keir Starmer’s government descending into chaos amid fallout from the Makerfield byelection, the Guardian can reveal.As they prepare for a potential change of leader in the event he beats Reform on Thursday, Burnham’s team is increasingly concerned a rapid collapse of Starmer’s administration would mean further instability for the country. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘We had right of way’: when British fair play met Russian firepower off the Isle of Wight 17. June 2026 (21:17) Jane and Alan Kelvey’s holiday yacht met a warship in the Channel – at a tense time for Anglo-Russian relations“We actually had right of way,” said Jane Kelvey, a little crossly, though keeping it civil. “But we weren’t going to argue with a warship.”The dramatic standoff in the Channel on Tuesday morning between Admiral Grigorovich, a 125-metre (409ft) battle-hardened Russian frigate, and Bright Future, a 12-metre (40ft) pleasure yacht owned and helmed by Jane, 69, and her husband, Alan, 71, has rather caught the nation’s imagination. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady for fourth time this year 17. June 2026 (20:50) Open markets committee says ‘economic activity is expanding at a solid pace’ in first meeting under new chair Kevin WarshThe US Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged for the fourth time this year after its first meeting under new chair, Kevin Warsh, a Donald Trump appointee who has taken over the central bank during a tumultuous time for the US economy.“Economic activity is expanding at a solid pace despite elevated uncertainty that owes, in part, to the conflict in the Middle East,” the Fed’s open market committee said in a short statement. “Productivity growth and capital investment are strong. Job gains have kept pace with the workforce, and the unemployment rate has changed little.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK officials expect Russia to retaliate for seizure of shadow fleet oil tanker 17. June 2026 (20:47) No formal warning issued to captains or ship owners, but industry body says they are exercising greater vigilanceBritish officials believe Russia will try to retaliate for the Royal Marines’ seizure of the oil tanker Smyrtos, prompting UK ship owners to exercise greater vigilance until tensions with Moscow ease.Military sources said the UK had considered possible responses to the seizure of the vessel carrying Russian crude worth $40m (£30m) to India, and anticipate that the Kremlin will want to hit back. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Georgia Republicans decline to redraw congressional map after voting rights decision 17. June 2026 (20:43) Lawmakers cite rushed timeline and public input despite pressure to redraw districts after supreme court opinionGeorgia Republicans declined to redraw the state’s congressional map during a special session, citing a rushed timeline and incomplete understanding of the ramifications of a recent US supreme court decision that effectively gutted a major section of the Voting Rights Act.“We believe that it’s important to do things the Georgia way, responsibly, transparently, and with ample opportunity for public input,” said Jon Burns, the Georgia house speaker. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Walter Parazaider, founding member of Chicago, dies aged 81 17. June 2026 (20:34) The originating member of the band with hits like If You Leave Me Now and Hard to Say I’m Sorry died after a battle with Alzheimer’s diseaseWalter Parazaider, a co-founding member of the rock band Chicago, has died at the age of 81 following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.His daughter confirmed the news in a Facebook post on Wednesday morning. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
French police authorised to use water cannon on asylum seekers in £660m deal with UK 17. June 2026 (20:27) Refugee charity says decision to let riot police use water cannon, which are banned in Great Britain, is ‘sickening’French riot police deployed in northern France under a £660m deal with the UK are authorised to use water cannon against asylum seekers, the Guardian has been told.Two specialist policing units, including a 50-officer riot squad, have begun working to prevent asylum seekers and people smugglers from launching small boats under the UK-France deal in time for the summer months. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Titan sub: design flaws and company groupthink central to catastrophe, report finds 17. June 2026 (20:24) Canadian officials find structural defects in material used for hull and say firm failed to fully test ‘novel’ designCanadian safety officials have issued a damning report on the catastrophic final voyage of the Titan submersible, finding that the US company behind the expedition was overcome by “groupthink” and “confirmation bias” and failed to understand the profound risks confronting their largely untested craft.The 6.7-metre (22ft) carbon fibre submersible dipped below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean in June 2023 en route to the wreckage of the Titanic ocean liner. But nearly two hours after it departed with five passengers, communications went dark. The disappearance prompted a frantic international search, with Canada and the US marshalling all available resources. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Families of Rex Heuermann victims confront US serial killer: ‘Save a spot in hell’ 17. June 2026 (20:04) Judge imposes life without parole after emotional statements at Gilgo Beach killer’s sentencingSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailThe families of eight women killed by Rex Heuermann spoke at the Gilgo Beach killer’s sentencing in Riverhead, New York, on Wednesday, more than three decades after the 62-year-old Manhattan architect began his killing spree.Heuermann pleaded guilty to murdering seven women and admitted to the killing of an eighth victim in April. Just before being sentenced to life in prison without parole on Wednesday for his admitted crimes, Heuermann offered a weak, generalized apology for his actions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
